Representatives from various religions, governments, and institutions are engaging in discussions about the rights of indigenous and black communities, including the protection of their sacred sites, in a parallel forum to the G20 summit. The IF20 debates underscore the urgent need for collaborative actions to address socioeconomic and environmental challenges.
The ancestral cultures of black and indigenous peoples and communities offer valuable contributions to humanity. However, the basic rights of these groups, including the protection of their sacred sites and heritage, have been and continue to be violated. Social progress has not eradicated the discrimination and exploitation these peoples have historically suffered.
This year, the group will present issues aligned with the priorities of Brasil's G20 presidency: combating hunger, poverty, and inequality, promoting sustainable development, and reforming global governance. W. Cole Durham Jr., president of IF20, stated: "The meetings provide significant opportunities to collaborate with indigenous and African-descended representatives. This will impact everyone."
Under the theme "Indigenous Peoples, Communities of African Descent, and Collective Rights: Perspectives on Religious Freedom and the Priorities of Brasil's G20 Presidency," government representatives, civil society institutions, various religious communities, academia, and other sectors are discussing ways to build just, peaceful, and supportive societies.
Irenilda Aparecida Maria Francisco (Iya Gilda), general coordinator for the Promotion of Religious Freedom at Brasil's Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania/MDHC), participated in the group's meeting in Belém, Pará. She stated, "After intense cultural and academic activities, with representatives from many different religions and cultures present, I have concluded that even while preserving our differences, it is possible to build a culture of peace and respect for cultural and religious diversity."
The IF20: a historical overview
The Interfaith Forum 20 has brought together various stakeholders inspired by the agendas of the world's largest economies since 2014. By organizing meetings in different regions, facilitating dialogue, and conducting studies and analyses, the Forum contributes to the G20 process by bringing the experiences and voices of diverse religious communities.
The central focus of IF20, particularly during Brasil's G20 presidency, is the urgent call for action to support the world's most vulnerable communities. These communities face challenges such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, armed conflicts, forced migration and displacement, the lasting effects of the global Covid-19 emergencies, and issues related to climate change.
The Summit will be held in Brasília, Federal District, from August 19 to 22, emphasizing the priorities of Brasil's G20 presidency and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
